Hold

Name: Hold
Price: 45 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9780593856987

Randy Ribay, Zeke Peña

$45

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Kokila
21 April 2026

Management: leadership & motivation; Picture books; Family & home stories (Children's&YA)

A funny, heartwarming picture book about a frazzled father and his child's boundless curiosity that reminds us what's important to hold onto in life.

A funny, heartwarming picture book about a father and his child's boundless curiosity that reminds us what's important to hold onto in life.

It's time to leave the house, but...where are the keys?? As Daddy rummages through the mess, he hands a water bottle to his toddler and says, ""Hold, please."" This accidental request turns into an adventure when the child decides holding is fun and wants to hold EVERYTHING!

Before long, the toddler has their arms full with their favorite stuffie, toy plane, even the family pet, and has set their sights on more ambitious items-the rain, a tree, and more-until it becomes too much to hold. Luckily, Daddy's always there to hold them.

By: Randy Ribay
Illustrated by: Zeke Peña
Imprint: Kokila
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 262mm, Width: 267mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 428g
ISBN: 9780593856987
ISBN 10: 0593856988
Pages: 40
Publication Date: 21 April 2026
Recommended Age: From 3 to 7 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Randy Ribay writes stories for young people. He's the author of Patron Saints of Nothing; Everything We Never Had; Avatar, the Last Airbender- The Reckoning of Roku; and more. He's a two-time National Book Award nominee, a co-winner of the Michael L. Printz award, and a recipient of the Asian/Pacific Award for Litera-ture. His books have appeared on the New York Times, Indie, and USA Today bestseller lists. Born in the Philippines and raised in the US, Randy currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, son, and cat-like dog. Zeke Pena is a professional diaper changer and world renowned mac 'n' cheese chef from El Paso, Texas. When not chasing his toddler son or picking up a pile of soggy floor snacks, he is drawing books in his tiny studio in NW Arkansas. You can find his first solo picture book, Sundust, on shelves at your local library and bookstore. Zeke was awarded the Ezra Jack Keats and the Pura Belpre Illustration Honors for My Papi Has a Motorcycle.

Reviews for Hold

Praise for Hold by Randy Ribay; Illustrated by Zeke Peña: ★ “Concise and spirited text… richly lined artwork elicit[s] humor and affection. Delightfully tender.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ “An ebullient picture book debut… [a] relatable family story [with] an indie comic sense of style.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review ★“This small but lively adventure humorously honors the everyday victories.” —The Horn Book, starred review